TLA VTC brochure - fra www.interstage.dk

VTC Console
The VTC (Valve Technology Console) is a fully modular in-line multitrack mixer
that offers all the benefits of the compact 8 buss / multiple tape output format
but with the supreme advantage of TL Audio’s critically acclaimed valve
circuitry - which forms an integral part of the channel, monitor, group and
master section signal paths. Available in configurations from 16 to 56
channels, with optional bar graph meterbridge, the VTC combines the classic
warmth of valves with the functional demands of modern music production.
If you love the sound and immediacy of analogue consoles, and want the
perfect partner for your HD recorder, then the VTC simply has no competition!
VTC VALVE TECHNOLOGY CONSOLE
Studio Sound
“You can’t
replace the
vibe of this
desk, and the
warmth it has
is incredible”
The Mix
SERIOUS DESIGN
In an age of cheap and cheerful console
design, the VTC is a breath of fresh air. Built
around an extra tough steel frame, each
channel is modular and connects via two
multiway connectors mounted on a rigid
backplane, allowing easy removal and
replacement. The frame is assembled in 8
channel sections, allowing a small frame
desk to be expanded at a later date if
required. All VTCs are supplied with heavy
American oak side cheeks and buffer rail to
“Call me
predictable,
but I want
one, and I
want it now”
complete that vintage-yet-contemporary
look.
All internal signal busses are balanced for
maximum signal integrity. The PSU is a
custom designed linear supply, with local
power regulation provided in each 8 channel
section. Regular TL Audio features like
1.6mm glass fibre pcbs, 1% metal film
resistors, over-rated valve stage capacitors
and gold plated ceramic valve bases are of
course a standard feature.
“The desk is
a delight to
use. A unique
and very fine
product”
Audio Media
ESSENTIAL VALVES
The inclusion of valves in the VTC is not just
a token addition. They form an essential part
of the signal path at several key points
within the console: every Channel and Mix B
preamp incorporates an ECC83/12AX7A
valve stage, as do the Group, Mix B and
Stereo master mix amplifiers. This means
when recording to tape via a group, the
signal passes through two valve stages
(channel and group), plus two more stages
on mixdown (tape return and stereo buss) giving a total of four valve stages in the
signal path.
In common with the M-3 TubeTracker mixer,
each valve stage in the VTC is run from a
200V DC stabilised power source.
COOL MIXING
The siting of the valves within the meter
bridge section of the VTC means that any
heat produced travels upwards and out
through the vents in the bridge. As a result
the audio electronics and control surface of
the VTC remain
comfortably cool! The valves
within the bridge are easily
accessible for servicing without the
need to remove console modules.
VTC BUSSING
Each of the VTC's 8 group faders is designed
not only to feed their relevant group outputs,
but also to feed a number of tape outputs
simultaneously. For example, the signal
from group fader 1 will route to each of tape
outputs 1, 9, 17, 25 etc provided the "Buss"
switches on those numbered channels are
“The VTC has been getting rave reviews here”
// PAUL OROFINO - MILLBROOK STUDIOS, NEW YORK
depressed (though the channel itself
functions normally with whatever signal is
being routed through it). Similarly group
fader 2 will feed tape outputs 2, 10, 18, 26
and so on.
VTC console:
32 channel console shown
with both standard and
optional meter bridges
“The VTC’s build quality and design integrity were immediately obvious”
// SOUND ON SOUND
INPUT CHANNEL
The VTC input channel is typical of TL Audio's approach to
ergonomics - a superb combination of flexibility and ease of
operation. Central to the channel strip is an extremely
powerful four band EQ section employing two fully
parametric mids. TL Audio equalisation is legendary, and the
VTC's EQ stage shares the warmth, transparency and
smoothness of our outboard equalisers. Combine this with
the channel's high quality mic and line pre amp stages - so
often a weakness on most consoles - and you offer your
source signals an unrivalled path to tape. A combination of
six mono auxiliary sends and one dedicated stereo send
enable foldback and effects devices to be fed quickly and
conveniently, and the Mix B section employs a 60mm fader
for greater control. In addition to its obvious merits as a
tracking mixer, the ability to link EQ and auxes to both
channel and Mix B signals makes the VTC a very formidable
mixdown console.
METER BRIDGE
In addition to the standard VU meters, an optional meter
overbridge is available which provides 16 segment bar graph
metering of each channel and the L/R master. A global switch
on the meterbridge allows either tape output or tape return to
be monitored. This optional meter bridge is fitted above the
standard bridge, and connects via 25 way D-type
connectors on the rear of each
8 channel section.
INPUT CHANNEL MAIN FEATURES
www.tlaudio.co.uk
. Balanced mic, line
and tape inputs
. Switchable 48V
phantom power,
90Hz low cut filter
and phase reverse
. Four band EQ with
fully parametric
mids. Part or whole
of the EQ can be
assigned to the Mix
B path
BEST ANALOG
MIXER 2000
LF band: shelving @
80Hz (12dB per
octave)
LM band: fully
variable between
50Hz and 2kHz (Q
variable between 0.8
and 7)
HM band: fully
variable between
500Hz and 18kHz (Q
variable between 0.8
and 7)
“There's nothing in its price range to
match it.”
Chris Tsangarides
(Engineer - Gary Moore)
HF band: shelving @
12kHz (12dB per
octave)
. 15dB of cut/boost on
each EQ band
. One stereo and six
mono auxiliary sends
. Stereo send has pre
fader switching
making it ideal as a
headphone cue send
when required. Can
also be switched into
the Mix B path
. Individual on/off
switch for each
auxiliary allows
separate muting of
sends
. Separate Mix B
facility
. 60mm fader on the
Mix B path
“It sounds absolutely amazing!”
Tom Girling
(Engineer - Damon Albarn)
“We haven’t experienced an EQ that
behaves so smoothly - even at extreme
settings it makes a fabulous noise
without ever overpowering you.”
Rick Smith
(Artist and Producer - Underworld)
. Tape / Direct output
allows multitrack
connection without
re-patching
. Signal and Peak
LEDs on both
Channel and Mix B
sections
. Valve stages on both
Channel and Mix B
paths
. Modular
construction to allow
easy removal or
replacement of
individual channels
“For submixing beats and samplers
into Pro Tools it just can’t be beaten.
The EQ on the console has an almost
‘old fashioned’ quality to it,
particularly the high and low shelving
- which I really like.”
Pete Norris
(Co-producer - Morcheeba)
Meter Bridge:
All VTC consoles are
supplied with a
standard meter
bridge, which offers
VU metering of all
eight groups plus the
stereo L/R master.
Each meter has an
associated peak LED
which illuminates at
approximately 18dB
of output level.
®
“The VTC really is a monster piece of kit”
// DAREN ESKRIETT - EMI PUBLISHING
“Sound quality is quite excellent”
// STUDIO SOUND
TLAudio
VTC Console
AUXILIARIES
OSCILLATOR
. Six stereo auxiliary
returns on 60mm
faders
. Eight group faders
. Oscillator and
Talkback
MIX B
. Comprehensive
control room and
studio monitor
sections
. Selectable PFL / Solo
in Place modes
. Two independent
headphone feeds
. Valve stages in
group, Mix B and
master mix amps
. Modular
construction to allow
easy removal or
replacement of
master section
CONTROL ROOM
STUDIO OUTPUT
TALKBACK
Like the input channel, the VTC master
section is a triumph of intelligent,
uncluttered design. Six stereo effects
returns on 60mm faders means that at last
you have real control of effects levels
without having to sacrifice input channels
to achieve it, and you really can treat them
as extra inputs on mixdown. The control
room and studio monitoring sections are
comprehensive and informative - large
illuminated push buttons make source
selection easy to evaluate and change
when necessary. Two entirely separate
headphone feeds are provided, either of
which can be independently fed from a
single source or a combination of sources.
8 group faders feed both group and tape
outputs to allow track laying and
conventional sub grouping to the stereo
mix - this combination of sub groups and
in-line monitoring provides all the benefits
of both split and in-line consoles: once
again demonstrating TL Audio's
commitment to maximum flexibility.
. Master auxiliary level
controls
PHONES MATRIX
MASTER SECTION MAIN FEATURES
MASTER SECTION
MASTER FADER
GROUP SECTION
Connections:
With the exception of insert points and auxiliary sends, all audio inputs and
outputs on the VTC are balanced, utilising either XLR or stereo jack
connectors. Multiway connectors are provided for the external rack mounting
PSU and optional meter bridge.
Input Impedance (electronically balanced)
Mix Noise
THD+Noise (From 10Hz to 40kHz @ 0dBu)
Master Connections
Mic input
Main L/R output (reference to +4dBu
nominal)
Direct output
0.02%
Main output
Groups
0.03%
0.03%
All other inputs
2.5k ohms
10k ohms minimum
Output Impedance
Master fader down
-97dBr
L/R
All balanced outputs
Master fader @ 0dB
-89dBr
Crosstalk
with 32 channels routed,
faders @ 0dB, channels open
Line input to adjacent channel
-100dB @ 1kHz, -83dB @ 15kHz
Studio output
-75dBr
Group Noise
Channel Connections
Phones outputs
(reference to +4dBu nominal)
Mic input
XLR (balanced)
All unbalanced outputs
100 ohms
47 ohms
Maximum output levels
SPECIFICATIONS
XLR (balanced, +4dBu)
and mono jack (unbalanced, -10dBu)
Direct, Group, L/R (balanced)
+26dBu
L/R (unbalanced)
+20dBu
Insert sends
+20dBu
Maximum Gain
Mic input to direct output
Line input to direct output
+70dB
+32dB
-94dBr
Line input
Stereo jack (balanced)
Fader @ 0dB, no channels routed
-92dBr
Monitor return
Stereo jack (balanced)
with 32 channels routed,
faders @ 0dB, channels open
-75dBr
Input Noise
Frequency Response
Mic Input Equivalent (EIN)
Mic input @ 40dB gain to direct output
20Hz to 20kHz +0, -1dB
(22Hz to 22kHz, 150 ohm termination,
60dB gain)
-127dBu
Internally jumpered for -10/+4dBu
Tape/Direct output
Stereo jack
Stereo jack (balanced)
Control room output Stereo jack (balanced)
Fader down
Insert point
(tip=send, ring=return)
Main insert point
(tip=send, ring=return)
Stereo jack
Stereo jack (balanced)
Stereo jack (unbalanced)
Group outputs
Stereo jack (balanced)
Group insert points
(tip=send, ring=return)
Auxiliary sends
Stereo jack
Mono jack (unbalanced)
Auxiliary returns
Stereo jack (balanced)
Mix B output
Stereo jack (balanced)
2 track returns
Stereo jack (balanced)
Internally jumpered for -10/+4dBu
Internally jumpered for -10/+4dBu
External input
Stereo jack (balanced)
Due to a policy of continuous development, the above specifications are subject to change without notice. E&OE
“I found the VTC equalizer very good and musical”
// MIX MAGAZINE
“I just love the sound of the VTC”
// CIARAN BYRNE - CAULDRON STUDIOS, DUBLIN
interstage
Phistersvej 31, 2900 Hellerup, Danmark
Telefon 3946 0000, fax 3946 0040
www.interstage.dk
- pro audio with a smile